We continue our series of portraits of Finance Montréal team members with Noza Mutalova, Senior Director, International Business Development. Discover her journey and what led her to join our IFC team.

What attracted you to Finance Montréal?

What attracted me to Finance Montréal was the opportunity to combine several dimensions I'm passionate about: finance, international business development, strategy, and economic development.

After several years in the financial sector, I wanted to contribute to something broader than growing a single portfolio or working for one institution. The FDI mandate immediately appealed to me because it sits at the intersection of international companies, government partners, the education sector, and the financial ecosystem. It's an environment with a wide range of files and constant learning.

What do you enjoy most about working at Finance Montréal?

First, it's the sense that our work has a real impact on Montréal's and Québec's financial ecosystem. We're not just promoting a city: we're helping build an environment where companies can grow, where talent can develop high-level careers, and where areas of expertise such as fintech, sustainable finance, artificial intelligence, and financial operations can reinforce one another.

I'm also fortunate to work with colleagues and partners who genuinely believe in this mission. It's very motivating to be surrounded by people who want to move the ecosystem forward, who share their knowledge generously, and who take pride in showcasing Montréal.

Tell us about an initiative you've enjoyed working on and are proud of.

I'm particularly proud of having developed more targeted and exclusive international events that allow us to position Montréal with senior decision-makers in the financial sector.

A good example is the event I organized in New York on artificial intelligence applied to finance, in collaboration with Mila. We brought together around thirty leaders and experts around a highly strategic topic for the industry, with concrete discussions on AI adoption, governance, talent, and opportunities for collaboration with the Montréal ecosystem.

This format worked very well because it went beyond a traditional presentation of Montréal. It sparked a high-level dialogue, generated strong interest, and led to requests for follow-up meetings.

Tell us about one of your passions.

One of my great passions is travel. I love discovering new cities, and I enjoy planning trips almost as much as experiencing them! For me, a trip begins well before departure: reading about neighborhoods, scouting cafés, museums, markets, and lesser-known spots... that's already part of the enjoyment.

I think this curiosity also shapes how I work. I like to understand business cultures, the differences between markets, and how people make decisions. Traveling helps me stay open-minded, adapt quickly, and see Montréal with fresh eyes every time I present it internationally.

What drives you day to day?

What drives me is the mix between my analytical side, my creative side, and my drive to push myself, whether at work, while traveling, or in everyday life.

I like understanding challenges, comparing options, structuring ideas, and finding the best angle. But I'm also very attuned to experience, the energy of a meeting, the beauty of a place, and how a story is told.

Whether it's preparing for an important meeting, planning an itinerary, or finding the best gelato in town, I like when things are well thought out and the result lives up to expectations.